If you are fan of fighting this is looking like the night for you, if you are of the belief fighting in hockey is gratuitous and not necessary this might also be the night for you. Loves of pregame yapping.

Stralman getting comfy with that shot. Keep it up. Del Zotto starting to fire as well. Rangers were plenty physical in that period and did a great job of protecting the front of the net. No easy looks.

I don’t guys what you see. But I hope I’m not overreacting, but I’ll tell you what I see. I see two elite teams ( and I wasnt able to say that for years!) playing a high level, even, intense, physical, playof type game. One team has a much better goaltending and it’s up 2-0.

Since Eric doesn’t seem to be around, let me say that this has all the signs of a third period letdown and a shootout winner scored by Jagr. Or Rinaldo. Plus every other game in the East will be a three point game. Out of the playoff picture by the All-Star break.

Oh guys. I meant to tell you this before. I played basketball today at the Brooklyn YMCA. I felt exactly like Christensen. I was really good at shooting around before the game. Then I got picked up by a team and basically was a ghost for the entire game. I got one rebound and was promptly slapped in the face by my own teammate and then my arm was wrenched as someone grabbed the ball from me. Obviously not a foul.

Gotta love the defense first attitude of this team. Shut down the opponent and ur chances will be there and that’s what they do each and every night. That’s why they win and it’s why it doesn’t mean if guys have 3 goals or 10 goals. It’s defense into offense.

I guess they can win divisional games w/o you know who. Just another terrific team effort win in which they shut down a good team that was red hot coming into tonight. The defense has stepped up with all the injuries. They keep coming in and fitting right in. But of course, the coaching doesn’t teach or anything.

The youth of this team is just a winning breed of guys that do what it takes. Step, Cally, Girardi, McD, Artie, Dubi. None of these leaders are even close to 30. That’s a great way to win for a long time.

Absolutely amazing, Rod! I’m here at home with a standard resolution TV, and those guys are there, *in person*, with all the replays available to themselves, and they still can’t get it right…Incredible!

Not sure what my internet accessibility is going to be for the next few days since we are heading to the wilds of Indiana so just wanted to take a few to say

MERRY CHRISTMAS, HAPPY HANUKKAH, HAPPY FESTIVUS and all that jazz to the greatest bunch of Boneheads ever! I love you guys, you hold a special place in my heart and in my life! Looks like we have ourselves a nifty, ass kickin team this season! May you guys have a wonderful time with your family, friends and assorted loved ones over the next few days, and know that you’re held in high esteem by some crazy chick currently living in the dirrrrrty souf! XOXOXOXOXOX

“Ad the difference between me and you carp, is that if this team came out and looked great, i would be the first one to eat my words and say i was wrong about turderella, and be happy i was wrong. You,n the other hand, refuse to even acknowledge that there is a potential Ranger disaster here, and that the clueless coach “in charge” might be implicit in what is happening, or more accurately what is not happening.”

You forget sometimes how good we have it with Sam and Joe until you’re forced to listen to the Flyers shills via Comcast. Seems pretty sleazy to ‘nationalize’ a game on NHL network just to get your evil megacorporation a few more commercials.

Thanks to all! Ilb, will do. Ill actually be back in the States on the 5th before flying back across the Atlantic the next afternoon. Ill try to catch the game against the Panthers on the 5th on tv…if I dont collapse from jet lag. Till then!

Sigh, if I was made of younger stuff (less than 26) I sure would love love to be in city tonight wherever the boys go for post-game fun. But, gotta rise early for a train for Christmas with the Fozzy posse and Phil’s cheesesteaks…..oh, how I suffer :)

Merry Christmas all! And to ilb, C3 etc., enjoy the Chinese and a movie!! :)

Loved Beezer. Got to meet him once. Former editor let me cover him doing something with kids in Westchester when he was with team, even though it had nothing to do with my beat, but my ed was a Rangers fan too, and knew I loved Beez.

It’ll be a year ago next week that McDonagh first got called up (and when Del Zotto first got sent down). Funny that it was supposed to be a cup of coffee for him and Tortorella said: “Whether he plays a game or not, I don’t know.”

Nice win by the Rangers but for me, as usual with the damn Flyers, their nastiness stands out and in particular 2 cases.

The first is already discussed on here – the stick whacking Gabbie on the shoulder. Geesh…and the official of course was oblivious to it.

The 2nd was on the dispute 2nd Flyer goal. Watch Van Reisjerk as he going down after deflecting the puck – yes he’s dealing with a couple of Rangers but as he nears the ice, he clearly throws out an elbow at McDonagh. McDonagh reacted as anyone would – turning his head away instinctually. This happened basically stationery because it was in front of the net so McDonagh wasn’t hurt, but the intent was, for me, clearly there and nasty.

Very early days, I know, but it’s not inconceivable that the two of the Rangers, Flyers and Penguins will end up in the 4/5 playoff matchup (and possibly both with a much better record than the #3 from the SE). Much preferable to win the division for all three, you’d think.